Suitcase having inflatable form-container



Dec. 25,195! J. R. BURTON, JR

SUITCASE HAVING INFLATABLE FORM-CONTAINER 2 SHEETSS!-EET 1 Filed July 8, 1950 ZSnventor Dec. 25, 1951 BURTON JR 2,380,281

SUITCASE HAVING INFLATABLE FORM-CONTAINER Filed July 8, 1950 2 SHEETSSHEET 2 ZSnventor ttorneg Patented Dec. 25, 1951 UNITED STATES TNT QEFICE SUITCASE HAVING INFLATABLE FORM-CONTAINER 1 Claim.

This invention relates to a traveling suitor clothing case having an inflatable form-container therein. It has for its main objects to provide such a case that will be more satisfactory for its purpose than any similar article now in general use, comparatively cheap to manufacture, attractive in appearance, and extremely durable.

Other objects and advantages will appear from the drawings and description.

By referring generally to the drawings, part of this application, it will be observed that Fig. 1 is a plan view of the case in open condition with the inflatable form-container of the present invention therein and a pair of pants in the opposite half of the case; Fig. 2 is an end view of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the case in closed condition; Fig. 4 is a sectional, end view of the inflatable form-container, as taken on line 44 of Fig. 1, and shows the bottom of the air container against the wall of the case, but omits fastener elements on the meeting edge of the case; Fig. 5 is a view of the form in inflated condition, the view also showing a coat in broken lines; Fig. 6 is an edge view of the form; Fig. '7 is an end view of the form; and Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view of the form.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings in detail it will be seen that the assembly comprises a folding ba 1 with an inflatable member adapted for use in one half of the bag, said member having a substantially tubular periphery 2 integrally and continuously attached to the margins of oblong inner and outer bottom panels 3 and 4, which are attached along spaced and longitudinally extending lines, so as to provide spaced air pockets having the overall appearance of piping and having a stifiening efiect similar to that of corrugations. The inflatable form is provided with air valve 5, and is made of flexible air-tight material that is suitable for folding without damage when deflated. It is-adapted for use in the bag as shown in Fig. 1, a coat being draped upon it as indicated by the broken lines in Fig. 5, the object being to preserve the coat in better shape by preventing creases from being formed therein. The bottom panels and the tubular periphery may also serve as a container for sundry articles, such as clothing. The form may be positioned upright in one of the case sections, so that the outer bottom panel 4 contacts the adjacent wall of the case (see Fig. 4); or it may be inverted so that the inner bottom panel confronts the adjacent wall of the case; or it may be positioned upright, but having its bottom panels spaced from the adjacent wall of the case and resting upon other articles. The number of coats that may be placed upon the inflated member and within the case depends upon the size of the air form as compared to the size of the case. The other half of the case is used for pants 6 supported on a suitable rack I.

The case and container may be made of any material suitable for the purpose. The case may be made rigid or flexible. The, inflatable form and container is preferably made of non-stretchable material such as plastic or the like, or any other suitable material that must be air-tight and flexible. Also the case and container-form may be made in different sizes and capacities.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, I do not wish to limit same to the exact and precise details of structure, but reserve the right to make all modifications and changes so long as they remain within the scope of the invention and the following claim.

Having .described my invention I claim:

A two part suit case, said case having two substantially equal in size compartments for con taining mens clothing; an inflatable form to be inserted within a suit coat for retaining its shape, said form being of a size to fit in one of said compartments, after the inflated form is draped with one or more suit coats; said form being made of air-tightflexible material similar to cloth, the outline of said form being oblong, so as to simulate a sleeveless coat? said form comprising an integral tubular shaped surrounding edge portion, an oblong-shaped outer bottom panel extending between said surrounding edge portion and integrally connected along its margins to one side of said tubular edge portion, an

oblong shaped inner bottom panel connected to p the inner face of said other outer panel along spaced lines so as to form elongate air pockets, and integrally connected along its margins to said surrounding tubular edge portion, said tubular edge portion and said bottom panels providing a tray for sundry articles of wearing apparel While also functioning as a shape-retainer for suit coats when the suit case is in closed condition.

JAMES R. BURTON, JR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,669,733 Becher et al May 15, 1928 1,800,429 Becherer Apr. 14, 1931 1,844,335 Ritter Feb. 9, 1932 1,951,985 Likly Mar. 20, 1934 2,542,477 Cart Feb. 20, 1951 

